OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 21 







at least, and so far everything seemed encouraging. Yes, 

 I would try. I would set up for a gardener. Why not? 

 Could not I become a florist as well as a man ? It was 

 worth trying. It being Saturday, the children were both at 

 home. After breakfast I called them to me and told them 

 what I had been doing, and of my plans for the future. 

 They did not quite understand it all, but were greatly pleased 

 with the idea of working in the garden, and gathering the 

 flowers. 



"lean cut the roses with the scissors Aunt Charlotte 

 gave me. Mayn't I, mother? " 



" And I can rake the walks, and pull up the weeds, just 

 as father used to do." 



" Oh, you can't rake, Johnny. You aint big enough." 



1 ' Yes, I am. Mother knows I can. ' ' 



" Yes, dears, you shall both help mother, and we shall 

 get on famously together." 



So -this is the way in which I took my children into part- 

 nership, and began life as a florist. That night I made a 

 small blank-book out of a sheet of foolscap and -entered 

 therein an account of the week's receipts and expenditures. 

 It stood somewhat in this wise : 



July 14. 



Received (for flowers. Paid. 



From last week, 9 00 For fares, .40 



Rec'd this week, 7 50 " seed, .20 



1650 " fare, .80 



Paid, 1 40 $1 40 



$15 10 Net. 



